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Think of the various MBA colleges in India; how many of them feature in your top 10 list? Not many, because when you search about different MBA schools, you will probably find a handful which have made it to the top 10 list. And when you search this list, it is the rankings from a reliable survey like that of Times of India which will come to your aid.

Remember there are several advantages of doing MBA from a good B school. You are going to go for a brand name which will be part of your resume for the rest of your life. You are going to meet some of the most talented people of your generation, best professors, the learnings of whom you will hold on as you progress in your career. Among all the other advantages, you get a good head start in your career. With a good placement, the subsequent career progression will also be pretty smooth.

Take a look at the list of MBA colleges in Kolkata and if you observe closely you will find that the placement history of B schools with good rankings is pretty impressive. You will get information of highest, lowest and median packages offered in various companies which have visited the campus, the industry patronage which a particular institute enjoys.

It is a known fact that top employers will always look forward to recruit MBAs from the only the top-rated schools. They have a list of MBA colleges in Kolkata which rank well. Rankings with high credibility also help lower-ranked schools to recognize the weaknesses in their programs, improve facilities and also compete with schools with better ranking.

If you are looking for a smooth career, invest your time in finding the right B school which has a good record of placements. It is imperative that the school has a good ranking as a good B school not only secures your placement, but also gives you the opportunity to be all-rounder.

A lot of MBA aspirants in Kolkata browse through B school rankings because choosing the best business school seems to be a tricky task and rankings are a lifesaver. Combine the ranking with a good program and you can really benefit from such a degree. Among the different reasons for which the rankings have become so popular is the relative ease with which the prospective students have been able to narrow their initial conditions for MBA applications. The key is to understand how to interpret the rankings and conduct one’s own research before you come to a decision. If you are searching for the best management college in Kolkata, you need to think about some of the benefits of ranking.

Use ranking for shortlisting the colleges

When you are going through the list of top MBA colleges in Kolkata, they first have to draft the MBA applications which is a time-consuming and expensive affair. With an MBA ranking, you have a higher-level view of different MBA programs. MBA ranking helps you in the initial phase of research which offers a somewhat fixed baseline for comparing schools. And once you have a baseline, you can get a deeper insight into different schools which can be gained by further research.

Get a notion about employer perceptions

Certain rankings such as Times School Survey definitely carry weight. There will be several lists for top 10 MBA colleges in Kolkata, but with a Times of India B School Survey, you will be ensured that you have the correct information. Students often use this information to evaluate a particular program. Also, it is important to note the consistency of rankings; remember an average ranking over time is much better than a year-to-year fluctuation. Pay closer attention to general MBA trends.

Does the ranking align to your preference?

If you are planning to get specialization in finance, then there is no point searching for a school which has a good ranking in HR programs. Try to understand the industry-specific rankings to understand employer perceptions of particular programs. Different management colleges in Kolkata have different areas of expertise. And one has to remember that rankings vary by industry. It is imperative that you are also attentive to how schools feature in industry-specific rankings as well. Employers also note these specialization rankings and will very likely find new employees from schools which specialize in relevant areas.

Rankings are determined by a lot of factors

When you want to pursue MBA in Kolkata, you will go through different ranking systems for MBA programs. And all of which use different criteria to rate them; they combine information from corporate recruiters, alumni feedback and taking into consideration other factors like professional satisfaction and career trajectory. Remember rankings can be informative, but the final choice boils down to the final MBA program you will be selecting.

When students join a good B school, one of their primary concern is whether or not they will have good placement. If a business school has a tie-up with industry and is sending the students for an internship then the preparation for a placement interview is done. In fact, a business school’s internship reports and job profiles can reveal which industries are normally a big draw for students. Today’s interns are tomorrow’s leaders; opt for a B school which gives you the opportunity to shine in your career.

Go for a real-time approach

Among the many MBA colleges in Kolkata, there are quite a few B schools which have a proper internship program. An internship in the industry allows the students to analyze problems in real time. This is a kind of a drill before you enter the real world and the student is expected to come up with innovative solutions. Of course, one cannot undermine the knowledge and most importantly the experience gained during the internship days. They also give the student an edge to outperform his colleagues.

Build contacts which will further your network

When you intern in any of the reputed organizations, you are going to build a good network. Many students travel abroad during their internship days and make professional connections. An internship is a perfect opportunity to build contacts. This works positively when you apply for a job in the same organization or to a different company. Remember a good word from a senior can add value to your resume. It can also help you to get a good position in your favorite MNC. It’s important for you to interact with superiors and colleagues during the internship days.

Gives you the confidence to face the real world

All the top MBA colleges in Kolkata have industry tie-ups. When you intern in a big corporate world, this will boost your confidence. After you have interned with one of the big organizations, you will gradually get rid of anxiety and nervousness that is normally associated with your first job. Your internship days will give you a true feel of a company. You will face problems and will find solutions for all your problems. Your success rate will definitely escalate your pay package.

2018 has not been easy for Facebook and the current privacy issues faced by Facebook in the beginning of 2018 was just one of the many instances where the organization had to deal with privacy issues in its short existence. When the company was only 2 years old in 2006, the company had faced user outrage when the News Feed was introduced. And that was just the beginning. Facebook had a long history of running awry with regulators and fighting consistently with user anger. During this period, the company has collected record profits, racking up more than 2 billion users.

The worst thing that has come up from Mark Zuckerberg himself is that the social media site has been collecting data from non-users as well. According to him, this was done for security purposes which did not go well with both privacy advocates and lawmakers. For many this was invasion of privacy. Not many might be aware but Facebook gets its data about non-users from people in the network. This might happen when a user uploads the email address of a friend. Other sources of this information are the cookies which the site often install on the browsers of the non-users when they visit sites through Facebook ‘like’ and ‘share’ buttons. This can happen whether or not the user pushes the respective buttons.

Facebook has always maintained that it has always used browsing data to create analytics reports; they have often used information on site traffic to make these reports. But most people have criticized Zuckerberg as he has not explained thoroughly about the kind of data gathered and the extent of the data usage. The revelation of this information in the beginning of this year has turned up the heat on Facebook and Zuckerberg because the CEO has not been clear about the extent of data usage and has never amplified the reasons for tracking.

This entire process of extracting the personal information and data traits of the users in order to paint virtual targets has not gone down well with users. According to them, this has been done to increase user ‘engagement’ to justify the stock-market valuation of Facebook.

Next time when you use Facebook, can you really ensure that your data is protected and secured?

You can be the next Kim Kardashian. Read this again. And to top it all, you can even earn from your selfies from your Instagram account. Of course it is easier said than done. When you have one million followers in Instagram, it is easy to make money on Instagram. The vital question is here how do you make money from Instagram? You have many options. Think about the app Pay your Selfie which allows you to upload the selfies after doing some minor ‘selfie tasks’ as indicated in the app. Of course there is a reward; this is done in exchange of some pennies which is collected in a virtual piggy bank. This will add up to hard cash and once it reaches up to $20. You can either go for a cheque or simply donate the money in the bank.

The best thing about Pay your Selfie is that it is completely free and is available in both iOS and Google Play stores. It is easy to download and get it installed in your phone. The only thing is that you have to be more than 18 years to earn money from PayyourSelfie. Of course, in order to get your selfies approved, you just need to follow a few rules; you need to know what PayyourSelfie is exactly asking for. You cannot post an early morning selfie in washroom and expect to earn money from it. Is PayyourSelfie asking for it? If the answer is no, then there are chances that your selfie might get rejected.

Our digital culture has shifted where more and more people are encouraged to produce and share content with each other. Smartphones are getting more affordable and the number of people taking videos and photos has skyrocketed. Another app Selfllery has tried to change this entire scenario and reward people in a different manner in a secure and fast manner. This has become a rage among not-so professional photographers who are talented enough to create amazing and compelling content for the viewers.

If you have a hidden talent in taking good photographs or you are in the mood to take a selfie, maybe it is time to use one of these apps for your advantage.

The word ‘innovation’ is tossed around a lot in both technology and business circles and it is one of the buzzword in 2018. Fostering the culture of innovation is essential for any ambitious company which seeks long-term success and relevance. When it comes to innovative business models, these 5 companies have shown us that if there is a need, you can disrupt the status quo and revolutionize your business.

Netflix: The New-age Masters of Small Screen

Although Netflix began with its DVD mail service in 1999, it started generating original content in 2011. In 2017, they shifted their focus and started producing movies aiming to release more than 80 movies. Netflix is not interested to cater to a broad audience, rather it wants to retain its appeal in niche market and offer movies or shows to audience without which they can’t live without. In 2016, Netflix made a major upgrade in user interface where they replaced their static poster images with custom-created preview videos which will play automatically when you scroll on the title card.

Stitch Fix: One of the Impressive Start-ups of all times

Stitch Fix, an ecommerce subscription company has almost 2.2 million users where the users receive boxes or ‘fixes’ of accessories, clothing and shoes based on their personal style. Stitch Fix wants to be an alternative to digital baron Amazon by offering bespoke selection of clothes. In other words, everything Stitch Fix offers is opposed to fast clothing. In 2017, after the company went public, it was valued at $1.46 billion. Now the company has expanded its demographics and have also included sections for plus-sizes, men and premium brand options.

Rely on Reliance Jio

You have admit that Reliance has brought mobile revolution with India’s first 4g LTE network. To build a strong foundation of next-gen broadband infrastructure, the organization has come up with 100,000 new cell towers. One of their marketing techniques was providing data at price drop giving service free for the first six months. With their daring attitude, they asked Indians to shed their inhibition of using data. The risk was huge, but the bet paid off and Jio signed more than 150 million customers.

Are your images Insta-worthy?

This is a common lingo of the millennial generation, but it only shows that how much Instagram means to our lives. Although it started as a free mobile app meant for only iOS operating system, it has now evolved into a multi-platform network. Previously, one could only share images on Instagram. As the app garnered response among musicians, Instagram extended its video-sharing functionality so that users can add 60-second clips and also added its option for Snapchat-inspired Instagram stories.

Gucci adopts street-style fashion with élan

Gucci which is normally associated with high-street fashion has been undergoing a transformation. In 2015, the newly appointed CEO Marco Bizzarri and Creative Director Alessandro Michele have changed the look of the brand and made it more edgy, modern and embraced the street style fashion. It has relied on its social media platforms and collaborated with influencers and artists and styled Gucci products in a fresh way.

You have to agree that today’s consumers are simply spoilt for choices and at times it becomes difficult to distinguish from one brand from another. And when you are vying for the top spot in a competitive world, you need an edge. A celebrity can have immense influence on generating brand awareness and ensuring the success of a particular campaign of a specific product. Celebrity endorsement can be a successful advertisement strategy and can influence your purchasing decision. In India, a celebrity endorsement is a big thing and you will be surprised to know that there are quite a few names who have made it to Forbes List. Let’s find out about the few with the biggest endorsements in India.

Come to think of the brand value of Akshay Kumar, you will be surprised by how far the star has come. From an actor who leapt mid-air to confront the villains to some of the more substantial roles, Akshay Kumar is a brand to be reckoned with. And trade pundits believe that it is his humility which have made him one of the forerunners in the top brand endorsements in India. Kumar has apparently moved 4 places from 2017 list and ousted Salman Khan from his coveted position. The once-famous action star is known to have the highest endorsements in Bollywood currently and he seems to be endorsing everything from batteries to energy pills. Apart from his film earnings, he mints millions from backend profits and endorses some 20 different brands. No wonder, his endorsement fees per year amounts to 8 to 10 crores each year.

Closely following Akshay Kumar is Salman Khan, the Bharat star. His mainstay hits such as Tiger Zinda Hain has allowed him to cash on his backend profits. Salman Khan remains one of the nation’s top earners with brand endorsements like Suzuki motorcycles and Chlormint gum. Salman Khan is one of the few celebrities who has started promoting brands even before his rise to stardom. A regular face in TV commercials, Salman Khan apparently charges 3.5 to 5 crores a day for endorsement. And not to forget that he has successfully leveraged his celebrity status to enhance his own brand Being Human.

The Khans seem to have a supremacy everywhere; from Bollywood to celebrity endorsements, they seem to be reigning it in style. Although “Thugs of Hindostan’ is touted as one of the biggest flops of 2018, Mr. Perfectionist still maintains his charisma and his endorsements speak a lot about his suave nature. With any brand he takes up, he is just not the face of the brand, he apparently goes extensively through the marketing plans and gets into all the details before he commits to the brand. According to insiders, his deal with Snapdeal resulted in earnings of 30 crores. For each brand that he endorses, he charges 5-7 crores a day.

And if you thought that the world only revolves around the Khans, you have missed the glam divas of Bollywood. The glam divas are no less when it comes to their brand value. Take Deepika Padukone for instance. One of the highest paid actresses of recent times, Deepika has left her contemporaries far behind when it comes to brand endorsements. Apparently she charges a whopping 7.5 crores for every endorsement. The stunning lady is seen in ads of Parachute, Axis Bank, Vogue, Garnier, Lifestyle Melange.

They may not be the best of friends in Bollywood for reasons obvious, but Deepika’s contemporary Katrina Kaif seems to be on her toe when it comes to brand endorsements. Known as one of the bankable stars in Bollywood, Katrina Kaif can be seen in the ads of a number of important brands like Lux, Panasonic, Veet, Berger Paints, Titan Raga, LG to name a few. For each endorsement, she charges 5-6 crores per day.

Myth: travelling is an expensive affair. Reality: you can travel the world in a budget. And when there are long weekends you feel the bite of the travel bug or the itch to bunk college. The only thing that limits you from packing your bags and taking off to an obscure place is your budget. Hear! hear! We have jotted down 5 backpacking trips that you can take within 10,000 while you are in college.

The Allure of the Backwaters

The backwaters in God’s own country has been a dream destination for many. You do not need to postpone your trip thinking about expenses, because a short tour to Alleppey is possible. For a 2 night/3 day stay, the cost can vary between Rs 250 to Rs 700 a day. And if you are planning to stay in a houseboat, it starts from Rs 6000 per day for 1 BHK which includes 3 meals. You can easily split it with your friends. All you need to do is enjoy the verdant countryside, waterways and the lagoons.

A trek through Kasauli

If you are an adventure enthusiast, then a trek through Kasauli should be in your list of must-dos. The most cost effective way to reach Kasauli is to board a train from Delhi to Kasauli. Then you can take a shared taxi to reach your destination. It will take less than Rs 1500 to reach Kasauli. Opt for pocket-friendly hotels where you will get the accommodation within Rs 1000. A 3-day trip will cost less than 5000, so you will be left with a lot of money to splurge on the trip.

Go for Goa

Goa is definitely every backpacker’s dream destination. Plan a short trip for 3 days; board a train from Margao from Mumbai which is a cost-effective option. You will be glad to know that beach accommodation starts at Rs 500 a night. Of course, you will be spoilt for choices as Goa boasts some of the best restaurants in the country with an eclectic mix of cuisine, but to stick to your budget opt for the beach shacks. A good seafood meal will cost you Rs 150. Opt for bike rentals; it starts from Rs 250 and can go up to Rs 500 a day. There are so many things to explore in Goa; the beaches, Portuguese architecture and the local markets.

River rafting at Rishikesh

Rishikesh is not just for the spiritually inclined; it is also very much for the adventure junkies. If you are one of those who are looking for an adrenalin rush, river rafting at Rishikesh is just the kind of activity for you. You might want to stay there for 2 days. Take a shared taxi from Delhi which will cost you around 500. Share a tent with someone which will cost about Rs 150 per day; food is also quite inexpensive. Depending on your service provider river rafting will cost between Rs 400 to Rs 1300. Want to be more adventurous? Opt for beach camping which will cost up to Rs 1600 per person which includes 1 night stay, river rafting and 3 meals. If you want to experience white water rafting, Rishikesh is the place to be.

Hampi for the History Buffs

Hampi is a fabulous treat for history lovers and unlike popular belief it is one of the inexpensive destinations in India. Relive the golden era of the Vijaynagar dynasty. Board a train from Bangalore to Hospet which will cost you Rs 300. If you are taking an auto to Hampi, you need to pay Rs 100. The homestays are pretty inexpensive and some of them also include meals. It varies between Rs 500 to Rs 1500 per day. If you are taking a tonga to ruin sites, it will cost Rs 100. A 3 day trip to Hampi can be easily accomplished within Rs 10,000.

Forrest Gump is a movie lover’s delight. It is one of the most entertaining and successful movies of all times, not only because it featured one of the brilliant talents of Hollywood Tom Hanks. The storyline was simple; it depicts the life of Forrest Gump, an ordinary man who lives an extraordinary life. Not because some magic has happened because of a sudden stroke of luck. It was the way Forrest has lived his life which teaches us 5 crucial lessons.

The Chocolate Box

One of the iconic symbols of this movie was a chocolate box followed by a famous dialogue by Forrest himself “life is like a box of chocolates…ya never know what you’re gonna get”. It is a simple way of telling that we all have the freedom to make our own choices in life. Throughout his life Forrest has made many important choices and has taken responsibility for all the choices that he have made. He embraced life’s uncertainty and Forrest showed us that it takes gumption to take personal responsibility for all the actions in life.

Words can Cause a Scar in Life

One of the most emotional moments in the movie is when Jenny rejects Forrest’s marriage proposal because she finds him dumb. Although it hurts Forrest a lot, he accepts the rejection with dignity and displays sheer intelligence by stating “I am not a smart man but I know what love is”. Words can cause deep wounds and permanent scars. Not everyone is resolute like Forrest who shows that if you fall in love, you should have the decency of rising in love as well.

The Nike Sneakers

Among a few cherished gifts in Forrest’s life, the pair of sneakers presented by Jenny was of supreme importance. The shoes symbolize the journey of life; it shows that you never actually arrive in life, you just need to go with the flow. One can persevere, but still enjoy the various moments of life; learning to enjoy the journey is your key to happiness.

Listen to your heart

Forrest has always listened to his instincts, even when it meant trouble for him. Life is unpredictable so often when you plan a lot of things, you end up going nowhere. Your gut instincts will show you the right way. Like Lieutenant Dan will be forever grateful for Forrest’s heroic actions to save him. Even when everyone tells you to do otherwise, just listen to your heart.

Never allow you past to dictate your future

The film is all about beautiful quotes: “My mama always said you got to put the past behind you before you can move on’ is one of them. This quote lovingly points out one of the important aspects of life; you cannot allow your past to determine your future. Live in the present and believe in the art of now. Be strong and determined and do what it takes to achieve the things you truly want from life.

If you have not seen the movie yet, it is time to watch this iconic movie starring Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise, Sally Field, Myketi Williamson, Rebecca Williams.

One should not make any mistake about it; a loved and recognizable brand is definitely one of the most valuable assets of a company. And branding is more than just a cool logo or a good advertisement. Let’s find out how the top 5 branding gurus in India have done it with some of the amazing campaigns.

Piyush Pandey: The Man Behind the Dancing Girl at the Cricket Field

The ad industry’s favourite man with a moustache Piyush Pandey has captured the heart of the nation in the 1990’s. When he first arrived, the world of advertisement was a drab one. But then satellite TV happened and more clients were interested in television advertising. Pandey has always believed in storytelling and among his many successful ventures was the Cadbury advertisement. Not many know, but the Cadbury ad with the girl on a cricket pitch was one of the first ads where he wrote the lyrics and recorded a full-fledged song with jazzman Louis Banks. And the girl Shimona who was cast could not even dance! It won ‘The Campaign of the Century’ at the Advertising Club Bombay’s Abby Awards.

R Balakrishnan and how he showed ‘Daag Acche Hain’

You have marveled at some of his cinematic creations at ‘Pa’, ‘Cheeni Kum’, ‘Padman’, but not many of us know that Balki had a successful advertisement stint at MullenLowe Lintas Group. In his own words, ‘storytelling happened, because nothing else happened’. The challenge for him was to bring out ideas day after day for different products. And his Surf Excel’s campaign ‘Daag Acche hain’ became viral in mid-2000s. Mostly featuring kids, these ads focused on the idea of helping others or making someone smile even when they are spoiling the clothes. The campaign was ‘Jaise Bhi Daag Ho, Surf Excel Hain Na’.

Prasoon Joshi and how he made everyone realize ‘Thanda Matlab Coca Cola’

When Prasoon Joshi joined McCann Ericksson, the agency was not known for his creative excellence; his first challenge was to change the perception of Coke from a song-and-dance driven communicator to a storyteller and the idea ‘Thanda Matlab Coca Cola’ was born. Consumer never look at advertising at silos, they look at it in a holistic manner. Joshi used a clever twist to two very common lingos ‘Kuch thanda lenge yaa garam?’ and the typical announcement of the hawkers in train stations ‘thanda thanda’. The idea was to position Coca Cola as a cool refreshing drink for the youth. And when you crave for something ‘thanda’ or cool, the immediate word that comes to the mind is Coca Cola. The series conceptualized by Prasoon dissolved boundaries and placed Coca Cola as ‘ a drink for everyone’.

Prahlad Kakkar: The Man who showed that branding is all about taking risks

Whenever you see a Pepsi ad, remember that there is only one man behind it. He is no one other than Prahlad Kakkar. The only propelling factor that has kept him passionate about ads is that he can never get enough of telling a story in 30 seconds in the most engaging manner. It was and still remains one of the effective ways to reach out to the masses. Who can dispute the fact that Pepsi is still ‘the right choice baby aha’. Bold, candid and often outrageous, Kakkar is all about taking risks. Be it a Kit Kat, Maggi or a Dhara, Kakkar has always come up with something new.

Sam Balsara

Sam Balsara turned 67 this year, but he still has the passion of a youngster. For him, safe advertising is a mistake. With over 30 years of experience in the advertising industry, the Founder, Chairman & the Director of the Madison World Sam Balsara has worked in one of the most influential political campaigns in India. He has worked with the Modi team and has come up with some brilliant ideas about Narendra Modi in his electoral campaign.